Chelmsford to air plan on preserving its history

CHELMSFORD -- The public will have an opportunity on Thursday to hear details on the town's first plan for preserving its historic and cultural resources.

The 117-page plan gives a wide range of recommendations for protecting and taking better advantage of the town's assets, such as the Chelmsford Center Historic District, Varney Playground and historic buildings throughout town.

Among the nearly 70 recommendations are pursuing National Register of Historic Places designations for the North Chelmsford/Vinal Square and South Chelmsford districts, as well as for Varney Playground, which could be done while restoring the park's buildings and upgrading its fields. The plan also suggests incorporating town history into Chelmsford schools, creating self-guided walking tour brochures for the town center and North Chelmsford, and expanding the Chelmsford Center Historic District to include significant homes just outside the zone.

"Chelmsford's tapestry of historic resources creates a physical environment that is unique to Chelmsford," the plan says. "Its cultural assets -- churches, organizations, community groups, businesses and people -- make Chelmsford a truly unique place to live."

The plan was put together over the course of a year by the Historic and Cultural Preservation Plan Committee, which worked with various groups to come up with the recommendations.

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The town puts a high value on its history and architecture, said Linda Prescott, the committee chairwoman.

"Because it's an important part of who we are, they wanted a plan," she said.

The plan was created after a recommendation made in the town's 2010 master plan.

Some of the actions are suggested to take place immediately, and others five or 10 years in the future. Some are already ongoing, according to the document, such as prioritizing sites for potential historical restoration and compiling a directory of all historical collections in town.

Among the immediate steps the plan recommends is appointing a community liaison to coordinate communication among local committees, community groups and town officials. The town should also immediately identify areas of town or resources most at risk for demolition, the plan says.

Some steps would require town regulatory approval, while others could need funding or dedication from officials or volunteers, said Evan Belansky, the town's community development director.

A Town Meeting vote a few years ago strengthened the town's demolition bylaw by doubling a delay period to one year, but the bylaw applies only to buildings more than 75 years old. But not all older buildings may be listed with their true age, and other younger buildings may still be architecturally significant, the plan said.

"There are a lot of buildings that are not old enough but are still very important," Prescott said.

Creating new historic districts could take at least 10 years, Prescott said, a process that would include public meetings to determine interest, a study to determine boundaries, and an inventory of each building in the zone. Consultants for the process could cost $5,000 to $10,000, Belansky said.

"It takes years and years to make a district," Prescott said.

The presentation and public input session will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday at the police station at 2 Olde North Road.

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